Merchandising package



Sept. 20, 1938. E, A, JANKE 2,130,646

7 MERCHANDI S I NG PACKAGE Filed July 12, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1ZZe/"ezZA. Jaifie HIS ATTORNEYS ia-ill as /4 in i 5; 50 V i M i? -11--Lf Sept. 20, 1938. E. A. JANKE 2,130,645

MERGHANDISING PACKAGE Filed July 12, 1935 2 SheetsSheet 2 HIS ATTORNEYSPatented Sept. 20, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MERCHANDISINGPACKAGE Everett A. Janke, Monroe, Wis. Application July 12, 1935, SerialNo. 31,115

6 Claims.

My invention relates to the manufacture, transportation, andmerchandising of food products, such as cheese.

An object of my invention is to provide a novel 5. cheese form adaptedto be employed as a transportation and merchandising package for thecheese. 1

Another object is toprovide a novel mechanism co-operating with thecheese filled form for 10. merchandising the cheese in small quantities,

and in which the original cheese form may be employed as a displayingdevice.

A further object is to provide a merchandising package capable ofwithstanding rough usage,

15. and in which the necessity for conventional wrappers is. eliminated.

A further object is to provide a novel method and means for looseningthe cheese in its container, to permit the cheese to be extruded there-0, from. r

A further object is to provide a novel means for extruding cheese fromits container and cutting the extruded cheese into smaller pieces, andin which the cutting mechanism embodies transparency for displaypurposes and functions as a seal for the container. 1

A further object is. to provide a form suitable for pressing cheese inassociation with a group of similar forms, and in which the closure forthe forms functions as a part of the pressing mechanism.

Another object is to provide a novel attachment for the cheesecontainer, whereby the extruded cheese may be severed longitudinally inaddition to transverse severance.

Another object is to provide a merchandising package and a co-operatingsevering mechanism, whereby the cheese may be cut into shapes of regularconfiguration.

40 Another object isto provide a package embodying a protective functionfor the cheese, whereby waste, due to dehydration is eliminated.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the cheese container;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view along the line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view along the line 3'3 of Fi 2} I 50 Fig. 4 isaview illustrating a number of cheese containers arranged for pressingthe cheese;

Fig. 5 is a perspective View of the trarTsverse cutt Fig. 6 is alongitudinal sectional View of the structure of. Fig:

Fig. '7 is an end View taken from indicated by line 'll of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a sectional View along the line 8-8 of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the cutter for 5. making longitudinalseverance of the extruded cheese.

In the embodiment selected to illustrate my invention, I make use of ametallic container iii of rectangular configuration in cross-section,and of uniform cross-sectional dimensions from end to end. The metal ofthe container embodies noncorrodible properties, and the shape of thecontainer provides a minimum displacement within a stacked arrangementof units.

In filling the container H! with the cheese l2, the containers arearranged in spaced end to end relation according to Fig. 4. Eachcontainer is provided with a predetermined quantity of cheese, afterwhich perforated cover plates l3 are posi tioned within each end of thecontainer. These perforations are closely spaced and of small diameters,and function to provide drainage for the moisture content in the cheesebeing pressed.

Blocks l6 are positioned between the covers l3, while one cover [3 ofthe container is is pressed against an abutment 20 carried by asupporting structure 22. The cover I3 associated with the outer-end ofthe end unit. 24 is arranged in alignment with a pressure head 2.6associated with a screw 28 having threaded relation with a block 30bolted to the structure 22 in the same way as the abutment 20.

Pressure applied to the container unit 24 is transmitted uniformly toall the units. The blocks 16 have ends positioned at right angles to thelongitudinal axis so that the covers l3 will be accurately aligned atright angles to the longitudinal axis of the containers Ill. In Fig. l,I illustrate the container in as being provided with two holes 59 ineach end of two opposite walls for the reception of fastening bars 32.After the cheese has been pressed through the medium of the mechanism ofFig. 4, covers I3 are removed and covers M are placed in the containersand the rods 32 slipped in place. These covers fit snugly in thecontainers.

After the covers l4 have been made secure, the cheese is sealed byapplying sealing material around the edges of the covers and theadjacent areas of the containers. At the time the cheese is placed, inthe container for pressing purposes, a small wire 34 is placed in onecorner of the container l0. Each cover l4. as well as each cover 13, is.cut away slightly at. 38 for accommodating the the position wire, andthe ends of the wire project beyond the ends of the container and areprovided with grip elements in'the nature of loops 38. The cheese I2 maybe loosened within the container III for extrusion purposes by removingthe covers I4 and pulling the wire around the walls of the container.Each of both types of covers is provided with a central opening 39 forthe reception of a hook to facilitate removal.

In dispensing the cheese, the container II) is mounted upon a table 40carrying an extrusion mechanism 42 and a severing device 44. I providethe table 40 with an elevated floor 46 upon which the container ll]rests. In Figs. 6 and '7, the table 40 is provided with two pins 48extending upwardly therefrom to be positioned within two of the holes 50in one end of the container, which holes receive the bars 32 for holdingthe covers I4 in place. Thus, the pins 48 prevent longitudinal shiftingof the container while the cheese is being extruded.

I provide a loop 52 for encircling the container, which loop has one end54 pivotally connected with the table and the opposite end provided witha perforated extension 56 for the reception of a bolt 58, whereby theloop may be drawn firmly against the container by a nut 69. Intightening the nut 6|], the container III is clamped firmly upon thefloor 46.

Referring to Fig. 6, a plunger 60 bears against the one plate I4 in thecontainer III, which plunger is provided with a rack 62 arranged in meshwith a gear 64 rotatably carried by a bracket 66 screwed to the floor40. Two bolts 68 extend through a slot III in the plunger 60 for guidingpurposes. The gear 64 is operated through the medium of a crank I2.

After the desired amount of cheese has been extruded, the projectingportion may be severed by means of the cutter 44. This cutter includes ametallic frame I4 pivotally connected at I6 with brackets I8 mountedupon the table 40. The frame I2 is channel-shaped in cross section forthe reception of a glass plate 88 having a beveled edge 82.

A cheese severing wire 84 has its ends connected with the frame I4 andlies in close relation with the edge 86 of the beveled edge 82. A grip88 is connected with the frame I4 to facilitate operation of the cutter.

The plate lies snugly against the end of the container III in the dottedline position of the cutter in Fig. 7. Thus, the plate 88 performs asealing function with respect to the container II! in addition toembodying transparency, whereby the contents of the container may beobserved. No severing action is performed by the plate 80. The cheese iscompletely severed by the wire 84. The wire makes a clean cut, and movesthrough the cheese with very little resistance. I provide the bevel 82because of the thickness of the plate 80, so that the beveled edgefollows the wire into the slot cut by the wire.

I provide means for making longitudinal cuts. This means includes ametallic loop 911 conforming to the cross sectional configuration of thecontainer II] and fitting snugly about one end of the container. Twometallic extensions 92 are connected with the loop 9!], each having anoffset part 94 arranged to fit over the ends of two walls of thecontainer I0. The extensions 92 embody sufilcient flexibility to permitquick and easy connection and separation between the parts 94 and theends of the container.

With the hook parts 94 in the position of Fig. 9,

the two severing wires 96 attached to the band EIEI lie within smallrecesses 98 in the end of the container I0. Thus, the wires 96 liewithin the contour of the container so as not to interfere with theclose fitting relation between the plate 89 and the end of thecontainer. The two wires 96 cut the extruded cheese into four parts. Ofcourse, any desirable number of wires may be connected with the band forcutting the cheese into pieces of various sizes and shapes.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 7, the loop 52 includes offset parts I00 forthe reception of the extensions 92. Accordingly, the severing device ofFig. 9 may be associated with an assembly according to Fig. 5, wherebytransverse and longi tudinal cuts may be made without rearranging theequipment. In Fig. 5, I illustrate the container .III as extendingbeyond the fioor 48 to provide space I02 between the container and thetable 40 for accommodating the band 90 in the clamped position of thecontainer.

Fig. 1 illustrates the container II) made up as, a merchandisingpackage. The package is of durable construction so as to withstand roughusage in stacking and transportation. Because of the rectangular shapeof the container, close nesting is attained and the units balance well.

.My container permits processing and merchandising of the cheese in theoriginal package and eliminates the necessity for special wrappings inthe nature of cloth and paper, as is common practice.' In addition, thepackage prevents dehydration of the contents. The contents are easilyloosened within the container by merely removing the bars 32 and thecover plate I4 and pulling the wire around the walls of the container.

In pressing some types of cheese in which there is a small moisturecontent, a slight clearance between the covers. I4 and the walls of thecontainer is suflicient for drainage purposes, in which case the coversI4 comprise part of the pressure mechanism. In cases where the covers I4are substituted during the pressing stage, the covers are heated andpressed firmly against the cheese prior to the insertion of the bars 32.In placing the bars in position with the covers I4 .under pressure, thebars are made secure through the expanding pressure of the cheese.

An application of sealing material around the edges of the covers I4provides an airtight container, while the latter provides a sanitarymerchandising package.

While I have described the use of the equipment in connection withcheese, it will be understood that the mechanism is equally applicableto the manufacture and merchandising of other food products such asbutter and various types of meat, etc.

In lieu of placing the wire 34 in position prior to the pressingoperation, the cutting wire may be subsequently placed by threading thewire through the container by means of a suitable needle.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully explain myinvention that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adaptthe same for use under various conditions of service.

I claim:

1. The combination with a supporting table, of a tubular food casinghaving an opening in its wall, means carried by the table and extendinginto said opening for resisting movement of the casing, a cover arrangedloosely within one end of the casing, a pressure device for moving thecover inwardly, to extrude the food product from the other end of thecasing, a severing device arranged at said other end of the casing, saidsevering device including a frame having a cutting wire, and atransparent pane carried by said frame and arranged to lie against theend of the tubular casing for sealing the same.

2. A device of the type described comprising an open ended casingrectangular in cross section, certain walls of the casing being providedwith openings, covers fitting loosely within the open ends, barsextending across the outer faces of said covers and positioned withinsaid openings; a supporting table, pins extending upwardly from thetable, said pins being arranged to extend within certain of the openingsin said casing when the bars are removed, a pressure device carried bysaid table and arranged to engage one of said covers for extruding thecontents of the casing; a cutter for severing the extruded materialtransversely of the casing, said cutter including a frame having acutting wire, a transparent closure member carried by said frame andarranged to extend across the end of the casing in sealing relationtherewith; means for severing the extruded contents longitudinally ofthe casing, said means including a band encircling the casing andsevering wires extending across the end of the casing, extensionscarried by said band and having abutments arranged to engage one end ofthe casing for holding the band in position; and a clamp co-operatingwith said table for drawing the casing into firm engagement therewith,to prevent disconnection of the casing from said pins.

3. A food severing device of the type described comprising a pivotallymounted frame, a glass plate carried by said frame and having a bevelededge, and a cutting wire carried by said frame in operative relationwith said beveled edge.

4. The combination with a supporting table,

of a tubular food casing, means for fixedly connecting the tubular foodcasing with the table, a cover arranged loosely within one end of thecasing, a pressure device for moving the cover inwardly, to extrude thefood product from the other end of the casing, a severing devicearranged at said other end of the casing, said severing device includinga frame having a cutting wire, and a transparent pane carried by saidframe and arranged to lie against the end of the tubular casing forsealing the same.

5. A device of the type described comprising an open ended casing havingopenings in its wall, covers fitting loosely within the open ends, barsextending across the outer faces of said covers and positioned withinsaid openings, a supporting table, means for fixedly connecting thecasing with the table, a pressure device carried by said table andarranged to engage one of said covers for extruding the contents of thecasing, a cutter for severing the extruded material transversely of thecasing, said cutter including a frame having a cutting wire, atransparent closure member carried by said frame and arranged to extendacross the end of the casing in sealing relation therewith, means forsevering the extruded contents longitudinally of the casing, said meansincluding a band inserted in the easing and severing wires extendingacross the end of the casing, and extensions carried by said band andhaving abutments arranged to engage the end of the casing for holdingthe band in position.

6. A food severing device of the type described comprising a movablymounted frame, a glass pane carried by said frame, and a cutting wirecarried by said frame near one edge of said glass pane.

EVERETT A. JANKE.

